Glucocorticoid effects on bone: The role of the osteoblast
Professor Markus Seibel, Professor Hong Zhou.
Concord - ANZAC Research Institute
Masters/PHD
Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) have both catabolic and anabolic effects on bone cells. However, the precise mechanisms of these seemingly disparate actions and their phenotypic consequences - bone loss and osteoporosis on the one side versus osteoblast differentiation on the other side - are still poorly understood. Using a transgenic mouse model of osteoblast-targeted pre-receptor disruption of GC-signalling we have recently made three key discoveries: firstly, mature osteoblasts direct mesenchymal progenitor (MP) cell lineage commitment; secondly, this control is achieved through the secretion of soluble signalling molecules by the osteoblast; thirdly, the secretion of these mediators is regulated by GCs acting on the mature osteoblast. Project hypothesis: GCs govern MP cell lineage commitment by regulating the expression of Wnt proteins in mature osteoblasts through transcriptional control. Project aims:
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 252